Archive for July 2nd, 2008

Filed under: Etc., Legislation and Policy, On Two Wheels, China
A counter-terrorist exercise known as “Taishan 2008,” it took place yesterday in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. Among other things, the forces used Segways for transportation. As we’ve reported in the past, the Segway has become an increasingly popular way to travel now that gas prices have… »

Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, On Two Wheels, Green Daily, UK

Although this year’s Isle of Man TT races have recently come to an end, many are already looking forward to next year’s event. In 2009, for the first time ever, the normal races will be run alongside the world’s first “clean emissions grand prix.” The… »

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, UK
click to enlarge
Take one baby boomer favorite – The Fonz – stick him in a boomer dream car – a Lexus RX 400h – and send him off on a cross-country trip through the UK, teaching kids the value of reading. This is the idea behind an effort between Lexus and… »

Filed under: Etc., MPG, Toyota
Since Toyota, like other automakers doing business in the U.S., is currently unable to supply enough hybrids and other small fuel efficient cars to meet consumer demand, they are offering up other suggestions on how to conserve gas. Over on the Open Road blog, they have talked about hypermiling before but… »

Sometimes we wonder why automakers are so risk adverse. Why don’t they take a little gamble? Why don’t they bring in some fresh ideas? Why don’t they bet $1 that Eddie Murphy can’t run their company better than Dan Akroyd can? Maybe stos is just the kind of street-wise risk taker Ford needs, someone who’s… »

Saleen will be conducting manufacturing design and engineering work required to bring the Gibbs Aquada and Quadski to the North American market. Gibbs plans to introduce the models here late in 2009 or early in 2010. In addition to working on production processes for the amphibians, Saleen is also looking at ways to improve their… »

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chevrolet, GM, USA
The Wall Street Journal has been known to be a bit cynical when it comes to the Chevy Volt but does it really think GM is using a whole program just to angle cash out of Washington? That seems to be the what Holman W. Jenkins, Jr. is arguing in… »

Despite a report from KickingTires.com two months ago that “El Camino” was officially out as a name for the new ute from Pontiac, we’re now being told by Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson the name is still very much in the mix. What reason there may have been for this change? Unknown. But all we do… »

Filed under: On Two Wheels
Yamaha recently filed a patent in the United States for an enduro motorcycle with a continuously variable transmission. The CVT, as it’s better known, is one of the most efficient means of transferring power in an automobile application. Yamaha, as well as nearly every other manufacturer of modern scooters, already uses… »

We had a bit of an upset in Monday’s Choose Your Eternity 3-way Superpower Showdown poll, with the French car coming in last! Yes, the ‘63 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint won handily, with a 55-24-22 split. That means the Italian car industry can feel the pride that comes from building the coolest- yet most nightmarish-… »